Meeting on disaster planning set at Cambridge Fire Station

Thursday

Jan 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Protect from storms, other hazards

Projects and activities to protect residents and property from storms and other hazards will be discussed at the Henry County Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Cambridge Fire Department, junction of Routes 81 and 82.The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.“Severe storms frequently cause damage to buildings, crops, roads and other critical infrastructure in this area and across Illinois," said Colleen Gillaspie, Henry County Administrator and Committee Chairperson. "Since 1970 Henry County has experienced at least one federally declared disaster every decade. “Severe thunderstorms and severe winter storms have been the most frequently occurring natural disasters in the county, but floods have caused the most damage,” she said. Henry County has an emergency response plan, but not a mitigation plan. “Emergency response plans prescribe what actions should be taken after a storm hits while this mitigation plan will identify actions that should be taken before a storm occurs,” said Gillaspie.Alpha, Andover, Annawan, Atkinson, Bishop Hill, Cambridge, Colona, Galva, Geneseo, Kewanee, Orion and Woodhull are participating in the planning process.While the public has provided input on portions of the plan, the entire plan will be presented for public review and comment before it is submitted to the state and federal government for approval. “A public forum will be conducted this spring for interested persons to review the plan and ask questions of Committee members. A two week public comment period will be established to accommodate interested persons who are unable to attend the forum. We want to make sure that anybody who is interested has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft plan,” said Gillaspie.“In addition, a copy of the draft plan will be placed on the county Web site for residents to view. We want to make it as easy as possible for all residents to view this draft plan so that they can read about what type of storm damage reduction projects are being considered,” she added.Interested persons can submit questions and comments to the Committee members or directly to the Henry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.